COMPARISON OF CEFOTAXIME PLUS METRONIDAZOLE VERSUS CEFOXITIN FOR PREVENTION OF WOUND-INFECTION AFTER ABDOMINAL-SURGERY

In a randomized prospective stratified trial consisting of 1010 patien ts undergoing abdominal surgery involving the viscera, the efficacy of cefotaxime plus metronidazole was compared to cefoxitin for preventin g wound infection. The efficacy of a single dose of antibiotics versus three doses over 24 hours was also evaluated. This study demonstrated that a single-dose antibiotic regimen was as effective as a multiple- dose regimen in the prophylaxis of wound infections following abdomina l surgery. In addition it demonstrated that the cefotaxime plus metron idazole regimen is comparable to that of cefoxitin and is more cost-ef fective. It is concluded that a single dose of cefotaxime plus metroni dazole provides effective prophylaxis against postoperative wound infe ctions following abdominal surgery.